The gold leaf. [volume] (Henderson, N.C.) 1881-1911, 1887-09-08
A BIT OF SENSATION FOR HEN
DERSONITES.
A Man and Woman who come here and
Pass Themselves of as a Wealthy
Married Couple, Arrested for
Stealing Money in New York.


Stealing Money in New York.
Tuesday afternoon of last week gentle
man and lady Ito all appearances they
were such at least) arrived In Henderson
OH the train from Weldon and took rooms
at private boarding house in town. The
man claimed to be NJ. E Reed Of Phila.
delphia, and said he had come South with
his wife to spend the winter. Making the
acquaintance OF some people from Hender-
son at one Of the hotels i'm Richmond where
the couple stopped for several days, they
decided to come here and stay awhile and
go to Florida when the weather got cold.
Reed appeared to be man of means, was
we'll dressed and gcnteel, and spent money
freely. The woman, rather progressing
in appearances, was refined and ladylike
in her manners and her demeanor that of
a person we'll bred. Having decided to re-
main some time Reed deposited So, 500 in
the Bank of Henderson, had lot of small
pocket bank checks printed, with the name
" NJ. E. Reed" on the end, and apparently
made himself at home in our midst
All went we'll until Friday morning.
Constable j. ii. McGee Of Weldon received
a telegram Thursday from Chief of Police
Poe of Richmond, making enquiry about
the couple, stating that the man Jesse F.
Merwin, alias NJ. z. Reed, was wanted for
stealing $1,000 from the National Express
company, at Glens Falls, New York, Aug
Goth. A full description of both was given,
even to the most minute details Of dress and
jewelry, the telegram further stating that
they were travelling with two large new
trunks. Constable McGee soon got on the
track of them and learned that they had
bought tickets and had their baggage
checked to Henderson Tuesday. He at once
telegraphed to Mayor Persse to ascertain il
such persons stopped in Henderson. Learn
ing from Chief of Police Switzerland that
they did and were stopping at private
boarding house here Constable MCGEE was
notified 10 that effect. Friday morning he
came here and swore out warrant against
Merwin alias Reed upon the charge of hav-
ing committed the robbery as above stated
| and against the woman, Mrs. Mamie Mont
gomery, as his accomplice, and Chief of
Police Switzerland made the arrest Other
kilograms in the mean time had been re-
ceived from Robert A. Pinkerton, Chief of
Pinkerton's Detective Bureau, New York
City, and according to the descriptions
given there could be 20 installing the par
| ties. Plnkerton was notified as soon as the
arrest was made and he telegraphed to
hold Merwin at all hazards, a reward of
$500 was offered for him and man would
be sent at once to identify him.
Mr.. E. s. GaylOr q member Of Pinker-
toms detective force traced Merwin to
Richmond where he had stopped several
days to rig" himself and his ESQ called
wife out. They bought the two large
trunks mentioned and filled them up pretty
we'll with new clothing, and that of the
best kind, for the use of both. Beside all
this they bought about 1850 worth of jew.
eiry, diamonds, &C., and put up at a first
class hotel. They had left the city before
Detective Gaylor got there. lie followed
them to Weldon Friday, ana there learned
of their arrest in Henderson that morning
| A hearing was had as to Merwin before
Justice Edwards who remanded him to the
custody of Chief Switzerland until mar
could be sent from New York to identify
the prisoner. Both parties were held un
til Saturday afternoon (under special guart
it being decided not to send them to Jail,
when Mr.. Geo. W. Slingerland, Superin
tendent of the National Express company
arrived. He knew Merwin personally ant
had no difficulty in identifying him.
Mr.. Walter r. Henry, counsel for Mer
win, who by the way made an able defcns'
for him before the committing Justice
went to Raleigh Saturday morning and
sued out writ of habeas corpus befor.
Justice Merrimon for the release OF hi
client. The case was set for hearing at /
o'clock Monday morning. Lack OF space
prevents our following the details Of TIN
case all through this stage of the proceed
ing. Suffice 1t to say the gentlemen EN-
ployed on both sides, W. r. Henry. Esq.
and Hon. D. G. Fowle counsel for plaintiff
and A. &. Zollicoffer, Esq, Col w. Ii
Cheek and Col. John w. Hinsdale counse
for the express company, contested the cas-
for all it was worth and some nice point
of law were brought out. The writ wa
not sustained and an officer having arrives
from New York with requisition from
Gov. Hill upon Gov. Scales for the prisone
he was placed In the::custOdy Of r. l.. Dot,
a deputy sheriff of Warren county. n. Y
to be taken back there to answer the char
against him.
The woman was held I'm custody unit
Tuesday when her case was heard,
having been twice postponed. No evidenc
was offered against her and she was r.
leased.